Hatteras This and Next week

carolb · Mon Oct 15, 12 4:13 am **Hatteras This and Next week**

Anyone going to Hatteras for the next two weeks?

We'll be there with lots of BEST kites to demo or just to meet up for parties and down winders. Yea - After a month and a half on the road we are finally hitting Hatteras.

Actually caught the coolest slicks yesterday in NJ! Boat ride out to some awesome islands with the locals from Green Hat kiting.

Carol and Tony

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Post some pics or video or this will just be another story that we can't live through:-)!!

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

as it happens one of my pals from back east will be there and he needs some "Best" compatible gear.

he's a beginner and apparently can launch, ride downwind, and sort of change directions

he's a big dude, I told him to stick to mild winds and biggish kites until he gets the hang of it. I "gifted" him my 14m Waroo (time machined in from 2006) and he just needs a 9m and a bar and then he's a certified kook....

at any rate, can you post or PM me some specifics on where to find you guys?

tonyb · Wed Oct 17, 12 5:34 am

We are at the KOA campground in Rodanthe this morning but may be moving to one of the other campgrounds later today. I'll post again if we move to a different spot. Look for the RV or the Smartcar running around between Rodanthe and Avon.

Tony

tonyb · Wed Oct 17, 12 12:00 pm

We moved this afternoon to Midget's Campground which is a half block north of the Liberty Gas Station / Convenience store in Rodanthe. About a 1/2 mile north of the Best offices.

We will be here until next Wednesday morning. If anyone is in the area look us up!

Tony

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

people that work in this industry --- interesting email from my buddy whose been trying to get over the beginners hump.

"* a lot of people in the kite industry just want to sell you expensive crap (gear, lessons, etc.). they basically see you as a walking, talking wallet.

* to that end, i met your buddies from oregon--super cool. i was like: finally some normal people w/o attitude who can tell you the real sh*t. "

something to think about. my buddy is a corporate lawyer these days, but still runs class V whitewater on a whim, he's got a good nose for BS, he didn't seem to like the way the shops+lessons smelled, kind of turned him off to the whole sport.

this is in hatteras, maybe the gorge shop+lessons scene is different.

also ringing endorsement for team bolstad obviously. thanks guys

Very Happy

tonyb · Tue Oct 23, 12 10:27 am

Thanks pjc! Had a nice chat with your buddy when we were at Real the other day.

He said you guys might make it to SPI in the spring. Definitely a good spot for him to nail down the skills and try out new stuff. Look us up anytime. Always glad to answer questions and let people try our stuff out.

One of the other things we were talking about was the bashing that goes on about various brands by people. In my opinion there are no absolutely perfect kites that will cover every riding style and every need (but there are some damn good ones!) and right about now there are no real dogs from any of the major manufacturers. Every one of the big guys has had hits and misses over the years and they all fight the overseas manufacturing quality control issues at some point.

For people not sure what to buy: Go out and demo kites, understand your abilities and figure out what you like. There is a kite (or 6) for every need and every style. Find a shop in your local area and check out what they have and how they support their customers.

Have fun!

Tony

Sella · Tue Oct 23, 12 10:46 am

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

yeah, if he's still stoked come spring we'll hang out in SPI.

he sounded kind of discouraged. I think he hooked up with some low quality lessons. "Go out there and take your licks" = stupid.

The way I learned, I rigged underpowered and went downwind for like 10 sessions at least. I know it was the right approach because Will from Floras came up to me and said "rigging small, do some upwind walking, that's the right way". (I wasn't even paying Will, he just volunteered the advice).

at any rate, not sure if DC is teh right city to live in if you want to kiteboard + hold down a job + parent your kids. I keep telling him to ditch the finance-law job and switch to high-tech-law in silicon valley, PDX, or Seattle, then he can kite 30 days a year without a headache, 50 or more if he's dedicated.

thanks for the help re:less, maybe see you guys in SPI

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed